Zero Clearance Fence

ABSTRACT

A Zero Clearance Fence that gives precision to chop saw fences. The invention consists of two flat surfaces and mounting devices. The flat surfaces are beveled at one edge of both surfaces. The beveled edge allows a tape measure to be hooked on at any desired miter angle. The invention mounts onto the original chop saw fences so that they are able to slide towards and away from the saw blade. The ability to slide allows the fences to always be right next to the saw blade at any miter angle cut for precision in the cut measurements. The mounting apertures can be located anywhere to allow the Zero Clearance Fence to fit on any chop saw.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to chop saw fences, and more specifically, it relates to a chop saw fence for increasing the accuracy of any angle of miter cut and decreasing the time to measure any angle of miter cut.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

Every chop saw has two fences that are located on either side of the saw blade. They are triangular in shape in order to allow room for the saw to rotate for a bevel cut. They are also able to slide towards and away from the blade for when the user wants a miter cut. Once the fence is in position, the user can lock them in place with a tightener on the back.

The main problem with said prior art is the inability to get an accurate measurement from the fences because of their shape. This is especially true when performing a miter cut because you aren't able to measure from the plastic insert either due to the angle between the plastic insert and the work piece. Another problem is the reduced area of work support that is a result of the triangular shape of the fence.

There are guides out there that tell the user to drill and mount a block of wood onto the original chop saw fence so that when you cut into it, the block of wood will be zero clearance to the saw blade.

The main problem with said prior art is that there is no back-cut, so it is hard to get an accurate measurement when cutting a miter. Another problem is that the wood blocks have to be thick in order to provide enough support to the work piece. This reduces the amount of cutting space available.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary object of the present invention is to provide a chop saw fence that will overcome the shortcomings of the prior art devices.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that provides a precise edge for measuring a 90-degree cut and can adjust for any angle of miter cut.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that provides the maximum amount of work support for a 90-degree cut and can adjust for any angle of miter cut.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that allows the work piece to slide along the fence unhindered.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that has a thin cross-section to keep the cutting area as deep as possible.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that does not damage the saw blade if the blade accidentally hits the chop saw fence.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that is durable enough for everyday outside use.

Another object is to provide a chop saw fence that a tape measure can easily hook onto for any miter angle.

To the accomplishment of the above and related objects, this invention may be embodied in the form illustrated in the accompanying drawings, attention being called to the fact, however, that the drawings are illustrative only, and that changes may be made in the specific construction illustrated and described within the scope of the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a magnified view taken from circle 1 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an upper perspective view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw.

FIG. 6 is a front view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw.

FIG. 8 is a top view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw.

FIG. 9 is an upper perspective view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in the down position.

FIG. 10 is a front view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in the down position.

FIG. 11 is a side view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in the down position.

FIG. 12 is a top view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in the down position.

FIG. 13 is a magnified view taken from circle 2 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is an upper perspective view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a left miter position.

FIG. 15 is a front view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a left miter position.

FIG. 16 is a top view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a left miter position.

FIG. 17 is a magnified view taken from circle 3 of FIG. 16.

FIG. 18 is an upper perspective view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a right miter position.

FIG. 19 is a front view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a right miter position.

FIG. 20 is a top view of the present invention mounted on a chop saw in a right miter position.

FIG. 21 is a magnified view taken from circle 4 of FIG. 20.

FIG. 22 is an upper perspective view of the present invention with slotted countersunk apertures.

FIG. 23 is a front view of the present invention with slotted countersunk apertures.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

FIGS. 1 through 4 illustrate a chop saw fence. The preferred embodiment of the present invention consists of a left fence 1, a right fence 2, and two beveled edges 3. Both left fence 1 and right fence 2 have countersunk apertures in order to fit a mounting device through to secure the chop saw fence to the chop saw. There is a beveled edge 3 on the edge closest to the saw blade on each of left fence 1 and right fence 2. The beveled edges 3 are on the back sides of the inner edges to allow the proper amount of saw blade space for any miter cut angle from the chop saw.

FIGS. 5 through 8 illustrate the present invention mounted onto a chop saw. The chop saw has five main components: kerf insert 5, miter angle selector 6, saw table 7, blade arm 8, and saw blade 9. Kerf insert 5 allows the user to see the exact location of saw blade 9 at the bottom of the cut. Miter angle selector 6 controls the miter angle that saw blade 9 cuts at. This angle ranges from a 90-degree cut to a 45-degree cut in either direction. Saw table 7 provides a flat and level surface for a work piece to slide unhindered. Blade arm 8 attaches saw blade 9 to saw table 7 and pivots along a certain axis, allowing saw blade 9 to move downwards to make a cut.

FIGS. 9 through 13 illustrate the present invention mounted onto a chop saw in the downward cutting position. It can be seen that the kerf insert 5 is a true indicator of where the saw blade 9 will end up. Left fence 1 and right fence 2 are nearly touching saw blade 9 because their pointed edge created from beveled edge 3 is lined up with the edge of the cut in kerf insert 5.

FIGS. 14 through 17 illustrate the present invention mounted onto a chop saw in the downward cutting position for a left side 45-degree miter. It can be seen that left fence 1 has moved towards the center of saw table 7, and right fence 2 has moved away from the center of saw table 7. This is because when the miter angle changes, the blade has a different location of cutting. Kerf insert 5 rotates with saw blade 9, so it always shows the correct location that saw blade 9 will end up at. Left fence 1 and right fence 2 are set up so that the pointed parts of beveled edges 3 are lined up with the edge of the cut in kerf insert 5. This ensures that left fence 1 and right fence 2 are lined up with saw blade 9 as well.

FIGS. 18 through 21 illustrate the present invention mounted onto a chop saw in the downward cutting position for a right side 45-degree miter. The positioning of the fence is different for this side as well. Left fence 1 and right fence 2 are lined up with the edges of the cut in kerf insert 5 so they are also lined up perfectly with the sides of saw blade 9.

FIGS. 22 through 23 illustrate the present invention with slotted countersunk apertures. These would be used if the original chop saw fences do not move. In this embodiment, left fence 1 and right fence 2 need to have the ability to move independent of the original fences.

In use, the user would first mount left fence 1 and right fence 2 to the manufacturer's saw fences. Mounting devices pass through both sets of apertures on both sets of fences to secure left fence 1 and right fence 2 to the manufacturer's saw fences. They are then able to slide left fence 1 and right fence 2 with the manufacturer's saw fences in order to change their position along saw table 7. The apertures are countersunk to allow a flat head bolt to sit flush with the surface of left fence 1 and right fence 2. This allows any work piece to slide past unhindered. The user must then decide what miter angle they are going to be cutting at. They select the desired angle with miter angle selector 6. At this point, they use the original manufacturer's adjustment point for the original fences to slide left fence 1 and right fence 2 so that their inside edge lines up with the outside edge of the cut in kerf insert 5. After the user checks that saw blade 9 will not hit either left fence 1 or right fence 2, the user can hook a tape measurer onto either left fence 1 or right fence 2 to get a very precise measurement. The user can repeat this process for any miter angle. 

I claim:
 1. A Zero Clearance Fence, comprising: two flat surfaces with a beveled edge at one end of both surfaces. mounting devices to fasten the flat surfaces onto the original chop saw fence.
 2. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 1, wherein said surfaces are made from metal for rigidity and durability.
 3. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 1, wherein said beveled edge is at an angle of at least 45 degrees to allow for any desired miter angle cut.
 4. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 1, wherein said surfaces have countersunk apertures that line up with the original chop saw fence apertures.
 5. A Zero Clearance Fence, comprising: two flat surfaces with a beveled edge at one end of both surfaces. mounting devices to fasten the flat surfaces onto the original chop saw fence.
 6. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 5, wherein said surfaces are made from metal for rigidity and durability.
 7. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 5, wherein said beveled edge is at an angle of at least 45 degrees to allow for any desired miter angle cut.
 8. The Zero Clearance Fence of claim 5, wherein said surfaces have slotted countersunk apertures that line up with the original chop saw fence apertures. 